Qureshi writes UN to intervene after Indian rhetoric on Pulwama incident

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to step in to defuse tension between Pakistan and India which was fomented by India in the aftermath of baseless allegations over Pulwama attack.

In a letter addressed to the UN secretary general, the Foreign Minister said that India must be asked to conduct an open and credible investigation on Pulwama incident.

“It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from the threat of use of force against Pakistan by India,” he added.

“You may also consider asking India to refrain from further escalating the situation and enter into dialogue with Pakistan and the Kashmiris to calm the situation down,” according to contents of the letter shared by Foreign office in a press release on Tuesday.

Qureshi further said that the Pulwama attack on Indian Central Reserve Police Force was ostensibly and even by Indian accounts carried out by a Kashmiri resident of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

“Attributing it to Pakistan even before investigations is absurd,” he added.

The Foreign Minister said for domestic political reasons, India had deliberately ratcheted up its hostile rhetoric against Pakistan and created a tense environment.

It has also hinted that it might abandon the Indus Waters Treaty. This would be a grievous error, the minister cautioned.

Emphasizing upon Guterres, he said it was imperative to take steps for de-escalation.

“I request that this letter be circulated to members of the Security Council and General Assembly,” he added.

Difficult days to end soon, assures Hafeez Shaikh

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh gave a road map of his economic reforms on Saturday that will stabilize the economy this year.

Pointing out that the decline in Rupee against USD started back in 2017, he stressed on setting aside differences for Pakistan and assured that decisions taken for the betterment of the country will render economic stability soon.

Addressing a press conference, along with government economic team including Minister for Planning Khusro Bakhtiyar, Power Minister Omar Ayub, Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar, FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi and Special Assistant to PM on Information Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Hafeez Shaikh announced to increase the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and bring the circular debt to zero by 2020.

He announced to cut down govt expenses in the budget, adding that the volume of the budget to be presented will be 5550b.

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Struggle of Imran Khan ends exploitative system in Punjab: Firdous

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Saturday said struggle of Imran Khan led to end of exploitative system and personality cult imposed on people of Punjab for decades.

In a tweet on social media platform twitter, she said the Punjab’s Growth Strategy 2023 was an important step towards achieving the mission and vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Special focus would be put on decreasing level of poverty, on development in backward areas, progress in agriculture, eradication of unemployment, supply of clean drinking water and on provision of education and health facilities.

The performance of Shehbaz Sharif was limited to headlines of television channels and advertisements of newspapers, Dr Firdous added.

She said the fruits of development through Growth Strategy 2023 will reach every citizen of Punjab.

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Dr. Firdous condoles with Qamar Zaman Kaira on his son’s death

LALAMUSA: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan here on Saturday visited residence of leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Qamar Zaman Kaira to condole with him over death of his son Usama Qamar.

She expressed her deep grief and sorrow over the untimely death of young Usama Qamar.

She was accompanied by Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Syed Samsam Ali Shah Bukhari.
She said, ” we all share grief of the Kaira family on sad demise of Usama.”